Merry Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve with family is the best.  With only a day to prepare...we managed to pull it off.  Even though I have my doubts at times and I may not always show it...I'm so thankful for this family of mine.  I love these three!

Auntie Linda, Aunt Jess, and Cousins Whitney and Ethan joined us again!!  We love having them over.  Barb, Papa Ray, Nana and Papa were there too, of course!

I can always count on my girl to model for a photo...Ayden (not so much!)  My sweet, sweet Christmas gal.  She INSISTED on wearing her red rose dress and having her hair curled....make up too!

 Family photo time...

 

These two COULDN'T WAIT for presents.  Ayden was counting down the days all month. 

It was such a joy to watch Ayden this year...he was so EXCITED!!  He just LOVED his recycle truck from Todd and I and his trailer from Papa Ray.  Such MAGIC!

Allie received 3 Lego Friends sets, a Princess Poppi Troll, a Silly Sally book and felt set for the felt board, a bag to hold her Girl Scout patches since her vest is FULL, a Lego sticker book, a glow in the dark race car track and Playdough. 

Ayden received a wiggle rider, trailer for his construction trucks, Paw Patrol cars, a matchbox truck and cars, a recycle truck, applesauce pouches, glow in the dark race car track and Playdough too!

After everyone went home and the toys were all built, we headed outside to sprinkle reindeer food for Santa's reindeer.  Ayden spent about 20 minutes (yes, 20 minutes) sprinkling his food...making sure Santa didn't miss our house!

 

Allie was soooo looking forward to touching Belle tonight.  She remembered this year!  Ayden told Jingle thank you for about a million things...including the books he wrapped for him, the snow and his trucks?!?  Allie gave Belle a hug and Ayden gave Jingle a kiss.  They carried our eves up to Santa's plate of cookies and said one last goodbye. 

 

The cookies were plated and the milk was poured in Santa's special mug.  Jingle and Belle were sat were Santa could find them.  Our stockings were hung by the chimney.  The sacks filled with old toys were left under the tree for Santa to take away and fix up for other kids.  A Christmas card was awaiting Santa's visit.  

 

 

Tomorrow will be an exciting morning.  Merry Christmas Eve!

Adventures of Jingle and Belle

Jingle and Belle had their share of adventures this season...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We'll miss you little dudes...

Annual Bake Day(s)

This year's bake day took place on TWO days.  The kiddos made our annual sugar cutout cookies.  They LOVED cutting and decorating.  We took our cookies to school for the cookie exchange!

Then Papa Ray came over a couple days later to make our traditional Christmas Rock cookies that's our family has made every year.  They are so yummy!!!

This Christmas is going to be delicious!  Thanks, Papa, for baking with us!!  We appreciate you!  Just in the knick in the time too!

Santa and Pancakes

For the third year in a row...we've had breakfast with the Claus'.  OJ, sausage and not so yummy pancakes were on Santa's menu this morning. 

 

As soon as Santa appeared and visited the Hammerick's, Allie went right for a great BIG HUG!  Santa chatted a bit with us...

 

...and we did some crafts and made reindeer food for Christmas Eve.  It's tradition to leave out some oats with Christmas glitter so the reindeer can find our house!

Mrs. Claus read The Night Before Christmas just before we went up to have our photo with the Claus'...

 

 

...and look who didn't cry this year!  Ayden kept his word and smiled when he sat with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  He did let Santa know that he wanted a trailer and a big scooper.  Allie let Santa know that she would like the Lego Friends Grand Hotel and a matching outfit for her and her American Girl doll.

 

 

 

Allie ran into her friend, Abby, from Sunday school.  The big stuffed reindeer were a favorite photo spot...how could they resist?

 

 

We are so excited for Christmas...Ayden is counting down the days till he gets his trailer and big scooper!  Thanks, Santa, for another fun breakfast!

Gingerbread Houses

One of our favorite Christmas traditions!  Thanks, Aunt Jess, for always hosting and inviting us to make our yummy little houses.  This was the first year that Allie was able to do all her own decorating.  Ayden and I tag-teamed his house. 

 



 

 

 

Check out our masterpieces!  Ayden was so proud!  Each house was complete with a door, windows, a tree in the yard complete with a gum drop star up on top.  Ayden made a Fruity Pebble pathway up to his door which was held a green Life Saver wreath.  Allie put polka-dot Smarties on her roof and trimmed in her house with a marshmallow fence.  Great job, my little bakers.

Allie is 6

Our sweet, spunky and sometimes sassy (and whiney) girl is turned 6 this morning.  She is growing up before our eyes...and way too fast if you ask me. 

 

Allie is a true girly-girl.  She would wear a bow and braids in her hair and a dress every single day if we'd let her...even if it's raining or freezing outside, she'd give up comfort to look her best.  Allie has become more confident and outgoing at 6 years old.  Allie is now reading very well and math and spelling seem to come easy to her.  She learned to ride a two-wheeler this past summer and can swim like a fish passing level 5 at Aqua-Tots and now in level 6.  Cheer is still a favorite for Allie.  She has perfected her cartwheel and continues to work on her back bend and back walkover.  Allie enjoys playing with her dolls, dressing them and taking care of them.  She likes to watch YouTube videos of Lego Friends and Baby Alive.  Some of Allie's favorite foods are Nana's snacker crackers, noodles with butter and cheese, ice cream and chocolate milk.  Allie is very caring, kind and helpful to her classmates and friends.  This girl is full of love and happiness. 

 

 

 

This past weekend the Grandparents celebrate with Allie.  The restaurant of choice was Samuri Steackhouse. 

 

 

 

Allie is so blessed to have all these people that love her.  She receive an American Girl doll (super excited!) doll clothes and books from Nana.  A Lego Friends set too!  From Ms. Barb all was thrilled to get her first Baby Alive doll!  Papa Ray gave Allie money for cheer and a couple of my vintage Cabbage Patch dolls.  Todd and I gave Allie lots of my Barbie clothes and more Barbie's too!  I made Allie a Lego shirt and headband to wear at her friend birthday party coming up this weekend.  Auntie Elle and Uncle Joe gave Allie an AG gift card and sticker book.  Allie is so blessed!

 

Ayden did pretty well not getting too jealous of his big sissy...he did want to help open gifts and Allie let him help a little.  Luckily, Allie was thoughtful enough to get a little gift too...good job, T!  Ayden was beyond excited!!!

 

Bright and early this morning (at exactly 8:44 am) Allie officially turned SIX.  She was full of giggles and smiles.  She couldn't contain her excitement.  Jingle and Belle dressed for the occasion and left Allie a birthday an elf birthday gift...a girly elf nail polish kit with stickers and all.  They decorated a chair just for her (as the book says) so she could feel extra special today. 

 

 

Allie's birthday fell on a school day...and a Girl Scout meeting day too.  So Allie got to spend her birthday at school with all her friends.  Todd managed to stop by and read Allie's class, Elf on the Shelf, A Birthday Tradition.  Allie got to sit in Mrs. Wild's chair AND wear a shiny GOLD CROWN all day long!  She got to roll the birthday cube and the class said a poem for Allie.